Pubdate: Tue, 14 Nov 2000
Source: Lookout (CN BC)
Copyright: 2000 The Lookout
Contact:  CFB Esquimalt, PO Box 17000 Stn. Forces, Victoria, BC, V9A 7N2
Fax: (250) 363-3015
Website: http://www.lookoutnewspaper.com/
Author: Capt Vic Falconer

DRUG AWARENESS WEEK -- ATTITUDES MUST CHANGE

Nov. 12 to 18 is Drug Awareness Week across Canada. Why is that important,
and are drugs and alcohol really that big a deal?

To put it bluntly, yes. Canadians are largely ignorant of the incredible
cost that substance abuse has on society. That's why Drug Awareness Week is
so important. Until ordinary people like you and me in every community
across Canada understand the costs, and are willing to take positive action
to counter the problem, the situation is not going to change.

Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) is actively engaging our provincial
and federal governments to have the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit
reduced from 0.08 to 0.05. They know the carnage that drinking and driving
cause on our highways. Did you know that everyday in Canada at least four
people die and 311 are injured because of impaired drivers? Did you know
that alcohol alone is estimated, conservatively, to cost our society in
excess of $7.5 billion per year? Did you know that 21 per cent of your ICBC
premium pays for the damages caused by impaired drivers and all those ICBC
Stop-Checks you drive through in Victoria?

And the Canadian Forces is not immune. Substance abuse is just as prevalent
in our military community as it is among our civilian counterparts. It is
critically important that everyone understands the magnitude of the problem
and, at the very least, take steps to ensure that they do not contribute to
the growing statistics.

Typically, most of us don't understand until it affects us personally
through an alcoholic parent or spouse, a family member killed or injured by
an impaired driver, or an impaired driving charge of our own. Have you ever
noticed your own attitudes to those stories in the news about impaired
drivers? "Put him away. Take away his license forever. Prosecute to the
fullest extent of the law!"

But what if you know the person? Then you think, "He was only having a
little fun. It was an accident. He didn't mean to. He deserves a second
chance." When it comes to drinking and driving -- there are no accidents. It
was choice that caused the crash -- the choice to get behind the wheel
while impaired.

Attitudes toward drug and alcohol use need to change. That change must take
place at home -- what kind of example are you setting for your children?
That change must take place at work -- is the worker who shows up hung over
laughed at and sent home, or is he/she made responsible for their
behaviour? Attitudes will only change with awareness. When is the last time
your unit had a General Awareness Lecture about substance abuse? If it's
been a while, call the Formation Drug Education Coordinator to bring
awareness to your workplace. Prevention works -- being aware shows you care!
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MAP posted-by: Eric Ernst